January 2020-Toscana Living

TOSCANA LIVING JANUARY 2020

HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD TECHNOLOGY SAVE YOUR TIME, MONEY AND SANITY

SET IT AND FORGET IT

PAY ASSESSMENTS VIA DIRECT DEBIT

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

FOR CONDO DWELLERS

2020 EVENTS

START YOUR YEAR WITH SOMETHING FUN

ANNUAL MEETING

COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS ALL-STAR EVENT

NEIGHBORS’ FAVORITES 5450 E. Deer Valley Drive Building 2 Phoenix, AZ 85054 www.toscanaliving.net Phone: 480-585-0808 Fax: 480-585-2859 Night Manager: 480-861-0875 Gate House: 480-513-0602 STAFF Nicole Careaga, CMCA Community Manager ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Christine Reeder Assistant Community Manager creeder@toscanaliving.net Mark Gatchell Lifestyle Director mgatchell@toscanaliving.net Katie Lucas Concierge Director klucas@toscanaliving.net Dani Wall Administrative Assistant dwall@toscanaliving.net NIGHT MANAGERS: Don Meeks Jackie Hernandez 480-861-0875 COMMUNITY PATROL: Hector Perez 480-861-0875 MAINTENANCE: John Raabe Facilities Director Keith Buc Daniel Renteria Ignacio Santana GATE HOUSE: Saffron Caudle Chet Sanders Josh Oakley 480-513-0602

This Slow Cooker Chicken Parm is a wonderful meal to come home to after a long day!

INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1/2 teaspoon pepper • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 large egg, lightly beaten • 1 tablespoon water • 4 (6 ounces each ) boneless skinless chicken breast halves • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce • 4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese • Hot cooked pasta, optional DIRECTIONS 1. In a shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt. In another bowl, combine egg and water. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in crumb mixture to coat both sides (patting to help adhere). Repeat.

2. Transfer chicken to a slow cooker. Pour sauce over chicken and top with cheese. Cook, covered, on low until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, about 4-6 hours. If desired, serve with hot cooked pasta.

Retrieved from Taste of Home

TOSCANA EVENTS

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FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL Friday, January 3, from 5-7 pm Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Thursday prior, at noon

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HIKING CLUB Monday, January 6, from 9 am-2 pm Meet at Front Gate

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The Toscana hiking club will hit the trails once again on January 6. Please join your fellow hikers at the front gate with a departure time of 9:00 am. Please contact Allen at apoppa@ yahoo.com for more details.

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VIP SPOTLIGHT-CHRISTINA HELPS Monday, January 6, from 2:30-3:30 pm Building 10 Amenity Center

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Join Christina, personal assistant and pet-sitter, for a casual conversation including organization tips and how to identify and help hoarding.

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AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM TOUR Thursday, January 9, from 7:30 am-4 pm $99 per person

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Visit one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world!

Featuring over 350 historical aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Cost includes transportation and admission into the museum. Map and boneyard tram schedule also provided.

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FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL Friday, January 10, from 5-7 pm Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Thursday prior, at noon

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Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Friday Socials are FREE.

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VIP SPOTLIGHT-ALLSTATE Monday, January 13 from 11 am-noon Building 10 Amenity Center

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Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Friday Socials are FREE.

Join Marc Robinson and Bobby Boswell for a delicious bagel and a chat about properly insuring your condo and its contents.

IMPORTANT RSVP INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL RSVPS AND CORRESPONDING PAYMENTS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 5PM ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE EVENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Payments can be made by dropping correct change or a check in a clearly marked envelope inside the drop box in Palazzo Centro. Late RSVP’s cannot be accepted, and refunds cannot be issued except in the case that Toscana cancels an event. Your cooperation with these policies helps ensure that our vendors have the notice they require, that we steward assessment dollars appropriately and avoid needless waste, and that the event experience is as enjoyable as possible for participants.

TOSCANA EVENTS

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TOSCANA BOOK CLUB Wednesday, Janaury 15, from 6-8 pm Building 10 Amenity Center

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FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL Friday, January 17, from 5-7 pm Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Thursday prior, at noon

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TRUCKIN’ TUESDAY Tuesday, January 21, from 5-7 pm Palazzo Grande Cobblestones

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FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL Friday, January 24, from 5-7 pm Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Thursday prior, at noon

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Please join the Toscana Book Club starting at 6:00 pm in Building 10. The book selected is “The Silver Star” by Jeannette Walls.

Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Friday Socials are FREE.

Flyin’ Hawaiian is returning Tuesday, January 21. Bring your appetites and your wallets!

Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. Friday Socials are FREE.

HIKING CLUB Tuesday, January 28, from 9 am-2 pm Meet at Front Gate

The Toscana hiking club will hit the trails once again on January 28. Please join your fellow hikers at the front gate with a departure time of 9:00 am. Please contact Allen at apoppa@ yahoo.com for more details.

BROADWAY COMPOSERS PROGRAM Tuesday, January 28, from 6-7:30 pm Building 10 Amenity Center

Bob Alexander takes us through the shows and songs of Jerry Herman. Bob will share such classics as Hello Dolly, Milk and Honey, Mack and Mabel, Mame and many more! This is a very popular event, so please register today!

IMPORTANT RSVP INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL RSVPS AND CORRESPONDING PAYMENTS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 5PM ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE EVENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Payments can be made by dropping correct change or a check in a clearly marked envelope inside the drop box in Palazzo Centro. Late RSVP’s cannot be accepted, and refunds cannot be issued except in the case that Toscana cancels an event. Your cooperation with these policies helps ensure that our vendors have the notice they require, that we steward assessment dollars appropriately and avoid needless waste, and that the event experience is as enjoyable as possible for participants.

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Lifestyle

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Toscana

HERE’S TO THE NEW YEAR

by Mark Gatchell, Lifestyle Director

I want to send out a heartfelt thank you to all the Toscana residents who have made my first year here amazing.

You have turned out in record numbers for many of our signature events, such as Friendsgiving, which topped the charts at 99 people. Over 85 residents attended our Halloween Bash, and we had an impressive 22 contestants in the costume contest. I hope you’re all getting your costume ideas ready for next year, the competition is becoming stiff! The Halloween Bash is quickly becoming one of the most popular events here at Toscana, and we plan to make it even better in 2020.

With 2019 in our rearview mirrors, we are now looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic 2020. Of course, we will have traditional activities like our popular murder mystery and trivia nights. We are also kicking off a new game night called “Feud Night,” which is a version of trivia, but allows for teams to consist of two-to-six players.

We are adding some twists to the murder mystery nights and partnering with our neighboring CCMC communities

to bring our Toscana residents even more exciting events both here at Toscana and off-site.

I cannot thank all of you that have served on our Lifestyle committee enough for all your hard work and dedication to improving the overall life experience for all of your neighbors and friends here at Toscana. Your commitment to your community is a testament to the wonderful people that live here.

Let’s not forget Toscana has some fantastic groups and clubs that every resident is welcome to join. In case you didn’t know, our groups and clubs consist of Hand & Foot, Billiards, Book Club, Mahjong, Poker, Hiking, and Bridge, just to name a few.

Please contact me at mgatchell@toscanaliving.net for a full list and times each group or club meets!

I am looking forward to working with you all this year, and I know we will see the same dedication to Toscana in 2020.

We are excited to bring a few more events geared to our younger residents in the New Year. With “Kids’ Day,” Toscana will be hosting an event with activities we are sure your kids will love. With character lunches, movies at the pools, and more surprises to come, we hope to include our younger residents as well. Of course, everyone is always welcome to all our events; we want to be ensure we provide lots of fun for all our valued residents.

Once again, your Lifestyle Director and of course, the entire Toscana team wishes each and everyone here at Toscana a happy new year!

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Our resort-style property offers an exceptional collection of first-class amenities.

Resident clubhouse with double-sided fireplace, exposition kitchen Two heated pools/spas including outdoor grills, and fire features Business center and conference room • Fully equipped fitness center Billiards area and game room with multi-sport simulator •

Sun deck

Tennis, bocce, and pickleball courts • Pet park • Indoor mailroom • Interior elevators Walk-in pantries and closets •

Spacious floor plans •

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Expansive 12-foot ceilings on top floors

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This literature is for “Marketing Purposes” only and no representations of any type are made by this marketing material, which is subject to change without notice. Floor plans are artist’s renderings and not to scale. Square footage and amenities may vary between apartment units and are subject to availability. ADRE #LC566897000.

Community Connection

by Katie Lucas, Concierge Director

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mardi Gras Bar Crawl- Looking to celebrate Mardi Gras like they do in the Big Easy? The Mardi Gras Bar Crawl is coming to Scottsdale Saturday February 22nd, 2020! Bar Crawl Events will be turning Old Town into Bourbon Street for the biggest Mardi Gras celebration and party! Collect thousands of beads and drink SoCo Hurricanes! It’s an incredible day of green, purple, and gold New Orleans style fun.

Scottsdale Whiskey Festival- Calling all whiskey lovers! Taste a variety of whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches on February 29 at the Scottsdale Whiskey Festival! With over 20 varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find your new favorite.

General admission includes three tastings, with VIP tickets available for those who would like additional tastings, one-on-one time with distillers and early access to the event.

Country Thunder- It’s time to start booking your tickets for the biggest country music festival out there. Held in multiple sites

across North America, the Country Thunder music festivals have spread like wildfire since launching in the early ‘90s, and will be back in Florence April 16-17. Each year country music lovers flock to outdoor festival grounds for a weekend packed full of food, camping, and top-tier live music.

Nearly every major contemporary country artist has appeared on stage for at least one installment of Country Thunder, so fans have been lucky to see big names like Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, and many more live over the years.

DIRECT DEBIT

Are you looking to set up your monthly assessments with auto-pay? Signing up for direct debit with CCMC allows you to really set-it-and-forget-it, as the monthly amount is automatically debited around the 7th of the month. To get signed up, drop by the office with a voided check and we can get you all set up!

For those already signed up for direct debit through CCMC, please note that the new assessment amount for 2020 will automatically update. Building 10 residents signed up for the Cox cable package should note that the full annual assessment of $792 will be debited in January.

If you are set up for automatic payments through your own bank, please ensure you have updated the pull amount to reflect the new assessment amount for 2020.

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Dani’s Digest

by Dani Wall, Administrative Assistant

SETTING RESOLUTIONS

The New Year is upon us, and I know you are all setting your resolutions. Whether it is to go on more walks, eat less sweets, or do more housework, I’m sure you will hit your goals. Working on yourself to become a better “you” is not always easy. Here are some great resolutions to add to your list, or some inspiration to start one: 1. Be nicer to your neighbor! Help them with groceries, hold the elevator, or invite them with you to attend a Toscana event! Did you know that smiles are contagious? Even just a smile with a head nod as you pass in the hallway could change someone’s day.

2. Wipe down gym equipment after you use it. I know there will be a lot more gym-goers in the New Year, doing your best to help keep Toscana beautiful and healthy is always appreciated.

3. Attend more Toscana Events. Come out and get to know your neighbors, make friends, and most importantly, have fun!

We have so many fun events that we work really hard to put together.

PAGE Come and enjoy with us.

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Register for e-statements.

Help Toscana save money by signing up for e-statements.

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Starting in 2020, all HOA’s are required to send out a monthly statement regardless of payment method. To avoid the cost of mailing them, Toscana has the option to sign up for a monthly emailed statement. To register for e-statements go to https://ccmcnet.opt-email.com/signup.

I’ve always wondered if everyone else’s resolutions look like mine. They definitely do according to this top 10 resolutions list made according to goskills. Maybe my resolution this year will be to be more unique….

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Exercise more Lose weight Get organized Learn a new skill or hobby Live life to the fullest Save more money/spend less money Quit smoking Spend more time with family/friends Travel more Read more

Just remember, when trying to achieve a goal having the right mind-set is the only recipe for success. Don’t shoot for your goal alone, get support of family, friends and co-workers. Cut yourself some slack being too hard on yourself if you slip can result in you giving up completely.

Take baby steps, have cheat days, and most importantly, HAVE FUN.

Chris’s Corner

by Chris Reeder, Assistant Manager

WHY NOT

TONIGHT?

ANNUAL MEETING

Get your game face on, because the Toscana Annual Meeting is coming!

Mark your calendars for Monday, February 10 for this exciting annual event. This year, we are so excited to announce the meeting will be held at one of the Toscana community’s biggest supporters: the Dave and Busters at Desert Ridge Marketplace.

If there is a time to make Association Management FUN, the Annual Meeting is it!

We always have great food, a ton of giveaways (thanks to our vendors), and get a little business done, as well. Last year’s giveaways included a hot air balloon trip for two with Hot Air Expeditions, dinner at Ocean Prime, free carpet cleaning from Phoenix CleanPro, a Dave and Buster’s gift package, and more.

This year, the theme is All-Stars! So, be sure to dress up in some gear from your favorite team, and get in the game! Once the Annual Meeting concludes, you’ll be in

21001 N. Tatum Blvd | 480.419.7772 | kegsteakhouse.com

the perfect location to play...whether you like to watch games on the big screen or participate in some arcade-style fun!

During the meeting will be a brief 2019 recap, expectation setting for the coming year, and appointments to the Board of Directors.

We are looking forward to seeing all homeowners who are able to attend the Annual Meeting!

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Maintenance Updates

by John Raabe, Facilities Director

HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

at night and know your unit is going to be cold, you can turn the heat on and it will be warm by time you get home. This means that you can leave your unit off the entire time you are not in it, but still come home to a comfortable temperature, saving some money. Another benefit is you can always see the temp and if its working. For our residents that leave for the summer, this can help you keep an eye on your unit from wherever and see if there are any problems.

Hot Water Dispensers, most the time, here at Toscana, our pumps and boilers are working the way they should; every now and then we have hiccups, as I’m sure some of you have encountered. If our recirculation pump isn’t working the way it should, you might not get hot water as fast as you are Smart thermostats, I’m sure most people have heard or seen these, but you might not used to. If the boilers both go down for an realize all the benefits and features that they unexpected reason, you may not have hot water at all, until a solution can be found an offer. These thermostats connect to your implemented. Having a hot water dispenser condo’s Internet, they can be set to very in your unit that goes under your sink can detailed instruction for heating and cooling your condo; they also have a learning mode provide you with instant hot water, despite these potential issues. I’ve seen these so that if you just use it like you do your mostly used in homes to take some strain current thermostat, it will learn your habits off the water heater, but I wanted to mention and start to automatically heat and cool it in case there are a few people in Toscana your unit they way you like. For instance, it might help. if you get home from work and turn your air on, it will learn that and turn PAGE Water alarms, as most of us around here the air on before you get home. know, water is one of our biggest problems There are also have apps that and can cause huge amounts of damage you can have on your phone, so very quickly in your unit and our neighbors’ that if you are on the way home With technology always growing and getting better every day, I figured it might be a good idea to mention some things that not every one may know about that could make life a little easier or even save some money.

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o f f er ing ho use - sitti ng, t ra ve l arr angem ents , clea n in g s er vice s , a nd mobile not a ry s erv ices

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below you. I know we have talked about these before, but never hurts to mention them again. There a few different types, including battery operated nits that can be placed in your sinks or bathtubs, when you are not using the, that will send an alarm letting you know there is water present when it should not be, allowing you to get started on a fix hopefully before damage occurs. There are also units that you can plug into a wall and connect to your WiFi, which have a cord that can be placed in an area where the most problems occur, like under the sink or on the bathroom or the laundry room floor, and they will send email or text alerts to you, if there is water present. This, in my opinion, would be very beneficial to the residents who leave their units unoccupied for long periods of time. Of course, having the alarm won’t do anything if you don’t have someone who is ready, willing, and able to enter your unit while you are gone. If you do not have a trusted friend or family member in the Toscana area with an access key to your unit, make sure you hire a service who can be there when you can’t! Check the VIP Guide for great options on Home Concierge services.

Smart Plugs and Switches, almost everything has an app nowadays. For items in your house that aren’t inherently “smart,” companies have begun making things like Smart Plugs, or other accessories, that allow you to remotely control that lamp PAGE next to your couch you always forget to turn off via your voice or phone with a web-based app.

The plugs just plug into your

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current socket and then you plug whatever you want into it. They also make Smart Switches, which allow you to do the same thing with things like your ceiling fan, that are controlled by a light switch. A great thing about these products is they also allow you to set timers and schedules for household items so you don’t have to remember to turn things on and off and create the perfect flow for your household.

There are plenty more of awesome things that can help save money and time but I thought these would benefit the people here at Toscana the most. Hopefully you find a few of these items helpful or inspiring for your new year home makeover! Most are fairly simple to install and utilize, once you get the hang of them.

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

EVENTS ASSOCIATION CLUBS/CLASSES WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 1 2

FRIDAY 3

SATURDAY 4

OFFICE CLOSED COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA B10 10AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM BRIDGE CLUB PG 1:30PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL PG 5PM

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DANISH, DONUTS AND MUFFINS MORNING PC 9-10:30AM

HIKING CLUB 9 AM VIP SPOTLIGHTCHRISTINA HELPS B10 2:30PM MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS PG 5PM

VIP SPOTLIGHTALLSTATE B10 11AM MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS PG 5PM

MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS PG 5PM

MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS PG 5PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE B10 2PM TRUCKIN’ TUESDAY PG 5PM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HIKING CLUB 9 AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM BROADWAY COMPOSERS PROGRAM B10 6-7:30PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA B10 10AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM BRIDGE CLUB PG 1:30PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA B10 10AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM BRIDGE CLUB PG 1:30PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB B10 6PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA B10 10AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM BRIDGE CLUB PG 1:30PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM

VERDE CANYON RAILROAD EXCURSION 7AM-4PM COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA B10 10AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM BRIDGE CLUB PG 1:30PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM

AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM TOUR 7:30 AM FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM BOARD MEETING B10 9AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH AND MOBILITY PG 8AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL PG 5PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL PG 5PM

COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL PG 5PM